[Non palpable testicular tumors. Retrospective series]. / Tumeurs testiculaires non palpables. Série rétrospective.

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience in 13 cases with nonpalpable testicular tumors and review the literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 1998 to 2012, 13 patients were diagnosed with nonpalpable testicular tumors. The data base was performed prospectively, and analyzed retrospectively. We evaluated demographic data, clinical presentation, ultrasound tumor features, tumor markers, frozen and final histopathological findings. All patients were also evaluated with serum tumor markers and the surgical approach was inguinal. RESULTS: The mean age was 46.4 years and the most frequent clinical presentation were orchialgia in six patients (46.1%) and infertility in three (23%). All masses were hypoechoic with an average tumor size of 8.9 mm. The serum tumor markers were negative in all patients and the final histopathological findings were six seminomas, two embryonal carcinomas, one seminiferous tubules atrophy, a segmental testicular infarction, a Sertoli cell tumor and a Leydig cell tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Nonpalpable testicular masses were benign in almost half of the cases; therefore, we recommend using the frozen section pathology as a tool to perform conservative surgery in selective cases.

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: An experience in 227 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate our long-term experience with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) and to review the literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review, evaluating 227 consecutives laparoscopic partial nephrectomies performed between June 1995 and June 2010. Perioperative were recorded along with clinical a oncological outcomes. RESULTS: Mean age was 56.4 years (18-87) and clinical stages were T1a, T1b and T2 in 90.74% (206/227), 7.48% (17/227) and 1.76% (4/227), respectively. Median blood loss was 250 mL (10-1800). The mean operative time was 108.42 minutes (30-240) and median warm ischemia time was 25 minutes (10-60). The intraoperative complication rate was 2.64% (6/227), 5 (2.2%) secondary to bleeding. The postoperative complication rate was 5.72% (13/227) and bleeding is also the most frequent in 3% (7/227) of the cases. According to the Clavien classification, 1.32% (3/227), 0.88% (2/227) and 3.52% (8/227) were grade I, II and IIIb, respectively. The mean hospital stay was 3.66 days (1-12). Clear cell carcinoma was the most common histological finding in 74.6% (150 patients). TNM clasification was T1a, T1b y T2 in 90.74% (206/227), 7.48% (17/227) and 1,76% (4/227), respectively. No conversion or mortality was reported. Positive surgical margins were found in 4 patients (2.7%), with no local recurrence after long-term follow-up. At a mean follow up of 27 months, one patient had port site and peritoneal recurrence. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is a safe and viable alternative to open partial nephrectomy, providing equivalent oncologic outcomes and comparable morbidity to the traditional approach in experienced centers.

Laparoscopic ureteral replacement by Boari flap: multi-institutional experience in 30 cases.

INTRODUCTION: The Boari flap is an excellent technique for replacement of distal ureteral injuries. There are few reports with the use of laparoscopic surgery, especially with long term results. Our goal is to present the results of a multi-institutional study of 30 cases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed 30 patients treated between December 2001 and January 2009 who underwent a laparoscopic intracorporeal Boari flap, in three Latin American centers. In all cases the same surgical technique was employed. The database was recorded prospectively and analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean age was 43.2 years (range 9 to 71 years). Most were women (22 of 30) with a slight predominance of left-side lesions (17 of 30). The most common cause of ureteral injury was hysterectomy in 14 patients (46.6%) and endoscopic ureterolithotomy in 9 patients (30%). The mean length of ureteral resection was 7 cm. (5 to 20 cm). The average operative time was 161.16 min (90 to 280 min). The average estimated blood loss was 123 mL. (0 to 500 mL), and hospital stay was 4.86 days (2 to 10 days). There were no intraoperative complications or conversion to open surgery. Postoperative complications occurred in 5 patients (16.6%), Clavien 1 in 2 patients (6.6%) and Clavien 3 in three patients (10%). The success rate was 96.6% (29 patients) with a mean follow up of 32 months (5 to 60 months). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic Boari flap in our hands had good short and long term results.

Robotic partial nephrectomy with selective parenchymal compression (Simon clamp).

OBJECTIVE: To present our initial experience using selective renal parenchymal ischemia, without hilar clamping, in robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In four patients with T1a renal tumor we performed robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy, using the Simon's clamp (Aesculap). It provides selective parenchymal compression without the need of vascular clamping. All patients had exofitic renal tumors in polar location. Renal parenchymal reconstruction was done as the standard technique. RESULTS: The median age was 49.6 years (42-59), 3 male and 1 female patient. Median operative time was 71,6 minutes (40-120). Mean stimated bleeding was 250 ml (50-400). Average tumor size was 3,25 cm (1,5-5,3). There were no complications and the average hospital stay was 3,5 days (1-7). The pathology was informed as renal cell carcinoma in three patients and one hemorrhagic cyst. The surgical margins were negative. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary results shows that selective renal parenchymal compression, with the Simon's clamp, provides an alternative to vascular control in selected patients with polar renal tumors.

[Current evidence about intermittent androgenic deprivation in prostate cancer]. / Evidencia actual acerca de bloqueo hormonal intermitente en cáncer de próstata.

OBJECTIVES: To identify clinical application of intermittent hormonotherapy in prostatic carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a systematic review in MEDLINE database and COCHRANE Library using the words MeSH "prostate cancer, androgenic deprivation and intermittent". There were included those with the best level of evidence and published in the last 10 years. RESULTS: Intermittent hormone therapy is one of the tools we use in urological armamentarium for special circumstances. This analysis highlights: possibility to regain sexual function during the period of suspension of treatment (time off) due to the recovery of testosterone levels also demonstrating an improvement in symptoms, decreased costs preserving the same oncological control compared to complete androgenic deprivation. CONCLUSIONS: There is still controversy about the benefits in quality of life and the emergence of long-term side effects typical of continuous hormonal therapy. Therefore and until now, we should only propose intermittent therapy in selected patients.

[Robotic partial nephrectomy: an initial experience in 25 consecutive cases]. / Nefrectomía parcial robótica: experiencia inicial en 25 casos consecutivos.

OBJECTIVE: To report our initial experience with robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) in a series of 25 consecutively-operated patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A series of 25 consecutive patients who underwent RPN from April 2010 to February 2011 were studied. We used the da Vinci S HD robotic system with transperitoneal approach. Total renal hilum control was used 22 cases and 3 patients underwent selective renal parenchymal compression with an ad-hoc device. RESULTS: Mean age was 55.8 years (26-77) with a male/female ratio of 2:1. Mean operative time was 117.6 minutes (54-205) and the warm ischemia time was 20.2 minutes (9-34). Mean estimated blood loss was 440 ml (20-2000) and the mean tumor size was 3.25 cm (1-5.3). Five patients (20%) had complications, the most frequent being intraoperative bleeding (Clavien II). There was no conversion to open or laparoscopic surgery. Mean hospital stay was 3.5 days (1-7). The pathological study revealed renal cell carcinoma in 19 cases and benign lesions in 6 patients. There were no positive surgical margins and no mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results show that RPN is a feasible surgical approach in small-sized renal tumors.

[Laparoscopic simple prostatectomy (adenomectomy): experience in 59 consecutive patients]. / Prostatectomía simple (adenomectomía) por vía laparoscópica: experiencia en 59 pacientes consecutivos.

OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopic adenomectomy 150 is a minimally invasive alternative to open surgery in large prostates. Our aim is to discuss our series of 59 patients treated by means of laparoscopic adenomectomy with precise vascular control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between June 2003 and June 2006, a total of 59 patients with a mean age of 65.5 years (51 to 82), underwent laparoscopic extraperitoneal adenomectomy. All the patients had a history of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The mean International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) was 20 points (16-22). The information was collected prospectively in a database. The analysis was performed subsequently. RESULTS: All 59 adenomas were completely removed laparoscopically without conversion to open surgery. The mean preoperative prostate volume by ultrasound was 108.5 cc (75-150). The average operating time was 123 minutes (90-180). The mean loss of blood was 415 ml (50-1500) and 4 patients (14.8%) required a blood transfusion. Two (7.4%) of the patients presented perioperative complications. The mean hospital stay and the bladder catheterization time were 3.5 (2-7) and 4.2 (3-7) days respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic extraperitoneal simple prostatectomy is an effective procedure for the treatment of large prostatic adenomas. There seems to be less perioperative morbidity and, in our experience, this technique seems to be feasible and reproducible; however, its learning curve is a complicated matter to deal with.

[Laparoscopic nephrectomy in children]. / Nefrectomía laparoscópica en niños.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic nephrectomy in children, not as in the adult population, has evolved more slowly due to the misleading concept that children require small incisions and recover faster. The aim of this article is to present our experience in laparoscopic renal surgery in a paediatric population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We checked the clinical records of children that were subjected to laparoscopic renal surgery at our institution between May 1993 and September 2010. We recorded the data prospectively and analysed it retrospectively. The variables we studied were surgical indication, age, sex, procedure and approach, surgery time, hospital stay, intraoperative bleeding, perioperative complications, conversion to open surgery, reintervention and blood transfusion rates. RESULTS: Between May 1993 and September 2010, we operated a total of 72 patients, 45 nephrectomies (62.5%), 13 nephroureterectomies (18%) and 14 heminephrectomies (19.4%). The mean age was 68 months (range 3-168). The mean surgery time was 80.4 min. (range: 25-270 min.) with a estimated mean blood loss of 37.5 ml (range: 0 -1.000 ml). There were 3 (4.1%) conversions to open surgery. One was due to intraoperative bleeding and the other two were secondary to a difficult dissection due to a history of prior renal surgical interventions. The mean hospital stay was 3.17 days (range: 1-30 days) and there were 7 (9.72%) postoperative complications. There were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS: We consider the laparoscopic approach for renal surgery in paediatric patients to be a feasible, safe and effective procedure that must be considered as the first option for the treatment of benign pathology in this population group.